Samner, Edan, and Shepley launch on board Aurora 17! Edan is particularly excited, as this will be his first landing! This is the first launch of the overhauled Aurora Mission, utilizing a longer term habitation module, similar to that on the upcoming Explorer 2mission! The purpose is to make space flight more comfortable, and to give crews experience on maneuvers and working environments similar to those in future planned deep space missions.

Shortly before launch, the final plans for the next MunBase are released: MunBase One!

With funds running low, another MunBase launch is attempted. The new base is designated as “MunBase One.”

Because of the negative associations with “Alpha” from the MunBase Alpha disaster, KSEA felt a new name might be best. Also, it uses less room on those patches.

The launch is successful… and MunBase One’s fairings eject. This time, large solar arrays like those on Explorer and the KSS deploy to help keep the base powered on its journey to Mun! Additionally, the capacitors have been removed, and a new battery, combined with a longer range relay antenna, are located at the center of the base!

Finally, MunBase One arrives at Mun! Mission Control orders the flight computer to begin its decent.. .

Success! MunBase One sets down! Just under 100 meters from the initial planned site… close enough!

Up in orbit, the crew gets ready to head down and check things out! Edan and Bill climb into the lander, and head down! (Historians note this is the first time that a Mun Lander has been used more than once!)

The lander sets down at MunBase One!

“Everything looks like it set down OK! I’m going to head inside and see if everything’s OK!
-Bill

Huh. Looks like the base set down about 50m from where it was supposed to! No matter… we’ll just move the flag!

-Bill

Bill and Edan pose for a nice landing portrait, then Bill heads inside the Base. Edan scurries back to the lander for shelter!

“Things look fine in here! I think we’re “Go” for you heading back up Edan… I’ll keep an eye on the base until the next crew rotation arrives!”
-Bill

The plan is for Edan to return to the Aurora 15 Spacecraft and head back to Kerbin with Bob! Bill will remain until the MunBase One crew is assigned!

Edan, Bill, and Bob blast off from the Space Center on Aurora 15! Their mission is to find a suitable, and ideally scenic, spot for MunBase Alpha!

After docking and transposition, the orbital stage is ejected… and Aurora 15 sails to Mun!

After just a few hours, Aurora 15 arrives … and the crew starts looking for a good site!

Landing confirmed! Now to find a nice flat spot with a good view!

Edan stays at the lander… while Bob heads out in his EVA jetpack to find a good spot!

“I think this is it! I’ll put a flag here so we know where to find it when we come back!”
-Bob

The site for MunBase Alpha will be in the center of one of the large Midland craters, in a flat area between 3 others:

This location should be easy enough to set a base at, flat with few large rocks or other obstacles nearby!

Ok then – that’s a go! Let’s start construction on MunBase Alpha at once! Meanwhile, Edan and Bill take off, back to the orbiting Aurora Spacecraft!

Edan and Bill say hi to Bob, and share the good news! Meanwhile, back on Kerbin, mission planners work on last minute adjustments to MunBase Alpha! The plan is to have Aurora 15 stay in orbit, while the MunBase launches!

Construction starts on Aurora 15, which will scout for a location for KSEA’s next big adventure… MunBase Alpha! This Munar Outpost will be the first attempt at long term habitation of another world! This is the first of hopefully many Deep Space Colonies!

KSEA hopes that lessons learned from MunBase Alpha will help develop new technologies to make future colonization possible. This also provides a great excuse for some great new Mission Patches!